To the distinguished representatives of the commercial interests of the
Empire, whom I have the pleasure of seeing here to-day, I venture to
allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among their
brethren across the seas, that _the old country must wake up_ if she
intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in her colonial
trade against foreign competitors. No one who had the privilege of
enjoying the experiences which we have had during our tour could fail to
be struck with one all-prevailing and pressing demand: the want of
population. Even in the oldest of our colonies there were abundant signs
of this need. Boundless tracts of country yet unexplored, hidden mineral
wealth calling for development, vast expanses of virgin soil ready to
yield profitable crops to the settlers. And these can be enjoyed under
conditions of healthy living, liberal laws, free institutions, in
exchange for the over-crowded cities and the almost hopeless struggle
for existence which, alas, too often is the lot of many in the old
country. But one condition, and one only, is made by our colonial
brethren, and that is, "Send us suitable emigrants." I would go further,
and appeal to my fellow countrymen at home to prove the strength of the
attachment of the motherland to her children by sending to them only of
her best. By this means we may still further strengthen, or at all
events pass on unimpaired, that pride of race, that unity of sentiment
and purpose, that feeling of common loyalty and obligation which knit
together and alone can maintain the integrity of our Empire.

FOOTNOTE:

[11] A speech delivered by His Majesty King George when Prince of Wales,
at the Guildhall, London, December 5, 1901, on his return from his tour
of the Empire. With the permission of the proprietors of _The Times_ the
report which appeared in that paper has been followed.